It all started with a tweet and an image from Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth that caught everyone's attention. The caption read, "The yellow paint virus has infected FF7," and soon the internet was buzzing with discussion.
The purpose of yellow paint in game design
Yellow paint is a common technique used in game design to guide players along the intended path. It marks climbable areas and draws the player's attention to where they should go.
However, many gamers aren't fans of this technique. They feel that it breaks their immersion in the game and suggests that developers think they can't figure things out on their own.
The 'yellow paint virus' and attention spans
The so-called 'yellow paint virus' has nothing to do with players' intelligence but more to do with their attention spans. Studies show that only 10-20% of gamers actually finish the games they start, and developers have found that players quickly become bored if the next step isn't immediately clear.
Additionally, gamers' expectations are influenced by their experiences in other games. For example, players typically expect to move right in 2D games, even if that path is blocked. Exploding barrels are also usually colored red, so players know they can use them to clear obstacles.
The history of markers in video games
While yellow paint may be a newer phenomenon, markers in video games have been around for decades. The Uncharted series, for example, uses white markings on walls to indicate where the protagonist can hold on.
So, while the color of the paint may vary, markers in video games are likely here to stay.
If you want to learn more about Final Fantasy, be sure to check out our Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth preview.
Written by Georgina Young on behalf of GLHF.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://hellofaread.com/technology/playstations-surprise-success-helldivers-2-takes-the-gaming-world-by-storm/
